Today, points are shared on how to answer a friend trusting you with their testimony that GOD has spoken to them during prayer. The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “learning2liveagain” (Level 2 with 611 points, a member since December 13, 2009) posted the following:
What would you do or say If a close friend of yours told you while praying that God spoke back & had a long talk with him.2 nights in a row?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1st John 4: 6-16, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: How GOD Answers Prayer? (01/09/2015); Not A Matter Of Opinion? (04/24/2014); What Faith Makes Possible (04/25/2014); Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013); Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013); Mockers in the Last Days (11/14/2012); Thoughts Upon A Warrior’s Fall (11/15/2012)
“learning2liveagain”, here are a few points provided through the Spirit of Prophecy to Christian believers:
(1.) Where your friend shared a personal account (we say, testimony) given by GOD, and chose to speak with you about it, their confiding in you (we also say, confessing) expresses many different motives that may require clarification. They may be simply seeking to share something they regard as special. They may be responding in obedience to divine law, commands that were given, the spirit of zeal that is imparted from GOD, and other aspects of unseen truth. They even may be seeking the unique affirmation and agreement only you may supply that comes from your sacred knowledge and experiences of divinity.
(2.) The assembly of believers that we call the church is usually the best place to look for companions who have experience that correctly details, explains and focuses spiritual events in a way that permits a person to take action for proper spiritual benefit to themselves as well as for unselfish service to others.
(3.) A person becomes obligated by a spiritual experience to learn, grow and share in new ways. It is correct to turn to those who encourage your development by listening, good counsel, and sharing sacred practice (e.g., prayer, Bible study, singing spiritual songs, worship). No one invites derision, mocking, and scorn. Where you can not say “I love you” by restraining and suppressing insulting and negative responses, it is better to admit your unfitness to give spiritual counsel, and acknowledge that the spirit content you bring to your friendship is lacking in imparted substance from GOD.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. For example, (4.) Expressing your care for a family member or loved one also includes sharing admonition and cautions (we say, warnings). Consider again the holy writings, 1st John 4: 1-3: 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith. Love has spoken.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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